The Senate passed a border security bill on Thursday. Only two Democrats were within the session when the Senate is on its August getaway. The $ 600 million border security bill aims to put more agents and surveillance equipment along the U.S./Mexico border. Illegal immigration and drug trafficking difficulties in border states have put pressure on the federal government to take meaningful action on border security.
1,500 border security jobs funded by bill
To pass the border security bill, the Senate convened a special session Thursday. Unanimous consent, a parliamentary procedure that doesn’t require the entire Senate to be present, was used to pass the bill. Senate Republicans really agreed to the maneuver. The Associated Press reports that jobs created by the bill consist of 250 more Customs and Border Protection officers, 250 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and 1,000 new Border Patrol agents. Money may also be allocated to new communications gear and more flight hours for unmanned surveillance drones. The bill sends about $ 200 million to the Justice Department for funding its efforts with the FBI, DEA and ATF in the fight against drug dealers and human traffickers.
Bill penalizes lawful immigration
The border security bill is election year theatre both parties both parties hope convince voters the Washington is capable of addressing border security in the wake of Arizona’s immigration law. The Los Angeles Times reports that the $ 600 million price tag of the border security bill could be paid for by substantially boosting fees on corporations that hire foreign workers using U.S visa programs. The package is an election year stunt that does little to address the complexities of illegal immigration, as outlined by immigration advocates. Politicians say a broader debate on immigration reform that includes a route to citizenship for about 11 million illegal immigrants could be made possible when the border is secured.
Results from a rare special session
The Senate Historical Office said the Senate has called a special session during summer break only one other time since the August getaway was established in 1970. The New York Times reports the only senators present were both Democrats: Charles E. Schumer of New York and Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland. The border security bill had already been passed by the House and Senate. But a re-vote was unavoidable after one of the Senate’s byzantine procedural rules was overlooked. The only other time the Senate unexpectedly reconvened during the summer recess was after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
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Associated Press
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Los Angeles Times
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New York Times
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